Two nurses stood down as police investigate two babies’ deaths

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health, Leausa Dr. Toleafoa Take Naseri

By Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – MONDAY 09 JULY 2018: The two nurses who administered injections on two babies that died within four hours of the injections have been stood down as the deaths are being investigated by police.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health, Leausa Dr. Toleafoa Take Naseri told the media today that the matter is out of the Ministry’s hands as the families of the two infants have lodged complaints with the police.

“There was no criminal intention on the part of the Ministry of Health in the performance of its duties including this matter,” said the CEO.

“But the members of the public have every right to complain to the police,” he said.

Batches of the Vaccines recalled
Leausa Dr. Toleafoa Take Naseri confirmed that the Ministry of Health is carrying out its own investigation and has recalled the batches of the MMR vaccines from all hospitals around the country for further tests if they were safe and are seeking the assistance of the World Health Organisation on the matter.

“A post mortem will be carried out as we want to get to the bottom of this and confirm the cause of the infants’ deaths,” said Leausa.

The latest death was described by the CEO of Health as unusual in that the deaths occurred within four hours of the injections administration and are investigating the whole line of the process including the refrigeration of the vaccines.

The two 12 months old babies were getting their scheduled vaccinations when they died a few hours after the injections.